Utah State Athletics and eFORCE Software teamed up for an Aggie Shop With A Jock Event. A total of 34 student-athletes from all 16 USU sports, plus Aggie mascot Big Blue, participated in the event.

Dec. 8, 2009

LOGAN, Utah -
Utah State Athletics and eFORCE Software teamed up for an Aggie Shop With A Jock Event. A total of 34 student-athletes from all 16 USU sports, plus Aggie mascot Big Blue, participated in the event.

People from all over Cache Valley nominated kids in need this Holiday season to participate in the event and 16 kids were chosen. The selected kids were given an opportunity to meet USU student-athletes representatives from all 16 of USU's sports. The children were also able to get all their autographs. They also received Shop with a Jock T-shirts, got to ride on an official Aggie shuttle and go on a $100 shopping spree at Shopko.

"It was a lot of fun. It was great to see the kids' excitement and to spend time with them," USU football player Robert Turbin said. "They're hard-core Aggie fans so it was fun to talk Aggie sports with them. It was great to see them smile and know that they had fun, and I know all the student-athletes had a blast."

The selected kids were given an opportunity to meet USU student-athletes representatives from all 16 of USU's sports. The children were also able to get all their autographs. They also received Shop with a Jock T-shirts, got to ride on an official Aggie shuttle and go on a $100 shopping spree at Shopko.

"Shop with a Jock was an exciting opportunity for all involved. It was fun to be able to see smiles on the faces of children as they fulfilled their Christmas lists. I'm glad those children will be able to have the Christmas they deserve, thanks to generous donations," Aggie soccer player Sydne Porter-Gardner said.

The event started at the Dee Glenn Smith Spectrum with a meet and greet, followed by autographs. Next, the student-athletes were paired up with the kids and posed for a group picture. After the pictures, everyone boarded an Aggie shuttle, where Big Blue joined the group, who led everyone in Aggie cheers and chants.

Once at Shopko, some of the kids hopped in shopping carts, while others raced with the student-athletes down the aisles in search for some Christmas gifts. The USU student-athletes helped the children try on shoes, and help decide which gifts were the best ones to buy. At the checkouts the student-athletes even helped the kids use their gift cards to buy the gifts themselves.

"When I announced to the student-athletes the opportunity for them to participate in Shop With A Jock, the response was overwhelming. I ended up assigning two to three student-athletes with each child," said Amy Crosbie, assistant director of USU Student-Athlete Services and coordinator of community involvement among the student-athletes. "The event was wonderful and a great opportunity for our student-athletes to give back to the community. I am not sure which smiles were bigger, those of the children or the student-athletes, it was a great night."